Sheriff Candidate Postpones Announcement Of His Jail Plans

Representative Mike Christian has postponed his news conference Tuesday morning to announce what he calls a "groundbreaking" plan for the Oklahoma County Jail. 

The results from an investigative audit into the Oklahoma County Sheriff's office is expected to be released Tuesday morning. In light of the release of the investigative audit, Rep. Christian's news conference to unveil the new jail plan will be postponed until a later date.

A new date for the announcement has not been set. 

Interest in updating the county jail isn't new. Some of the major issues there have been magnified by inmate deaths, federal civil rights investigations, and lawsuits. At the same time, there are concerns about overcrowding and under-staffing, raising questions about sanitation and safety. 

Plans have stalled so far to vote this year on a sales tax to help build a more than $300 million jail. That tax initiative would have also included plans for money to buy fire and police equipment and a citizens advisory board. 

Christian is running against incumbent Sheriff John Whetsel in the November election.